We'll just throw what's left back into the Mediterranean Sea.

In a magnificent art space, raam art space on the Oosterdokskade of Galery friend of Bavink, a lively panel discussion took place this Friday about the exhibition Post Pollution. For this, artist Willem de Haan retrieved 99 plastic bottles from the water in the Mediterranean Sea.

 

He then asked 99 artists to transform the bottles into art objects. These works have been exhibited anonymously since November last year and all cost £650. Most of them have now been sold. What remains will be thrown back into the sea near Marseille on 28 March.

 

The panel discussion focused on the question of whether it is acceptable to throw the bottles back into the sea. Jacqueline Cramer and Maria Westerbos of the Plastic Soup Foundation think this is a bad idea. Willem de Haan, curator of the exhibition, defends it, arguing that it puts pressure on visitors and confronts them with questions about our collective responsibility.

 

Maria Westerbos has a good solution. If the bottles really do end up in the water, she will personally dive in after them.

 

To be continued on 28 March 2026.